A biodegradable hybrid construct consisting of a slow degrading poly(L-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) (PLA-e-CL) knitted mesh, plastically compressed (1) between two collagen gels was fabricated and tested in vitro for tissue engineering applications. The polymer mesh was incorporated to give greater mechanical stability to the compressed collagen scaffolds.
The hybrid construct was characterized for fluid (weight) loss and cell viability during compression and mechanical properties.
Hybrid constructs embedded and surface layered with human dermal
fibroblasts (2, Eþ5 per 5 ml) were cultured for up to one week
in static culture. Quantitative and qualitative data on cell viability
and proliferation were obtained.
It was found that the fluid (weight) loss in plastic compression
of the hybrid construct was time dependent and not weight dependent
at an applied load of 240 grams. No significant cell death
was observed during the plastic compression process and a homogenous
cell distribution was achieved. One week of static culture
showed that the cultivated hybrid construct retained its
mechanical properties with no evidence of degradation, and cells
inside the constructs as well as layered on top of the constructs
proliferated.
We found the PLA-e-CL-Collagen hybrid construct a useful
three-dimensional scaffold for tissue engineering of stratified tissues
and potential applications in bladder wall, blood vessels and
skin are currently being explored.